2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate

GMC recently made some waves in the press with a tailgate upgrade to their Sierra 1500 pickup truck, which is truly an impressive bit of innovation. But Ram is now hot on their heels with a similar innovation called the Multifunction Tailgate — proving once and for all that simpler is sometimes better.

While GMC’s MultiPro tailgate features a rather complicated 6-in-1 mechanism available only on high-end trims, Ram takes a different approach — simplifying the functionality of their Multifunction Tailgate and offering it as a $995 option for any 2019 1500 trim. This new version still has the ability to function as a traditional tailgate, dropping down with the pull of a lever and offering the ability to support up to 2,000 pounds. But it also features a verticle 60/40 split, which lets the tailgate swing out a full 88-degrees like double doors, allowing unfettered access to whatever’s stored in the bed of the full-size pickup truck. Better still, it works perfectly even when a trailer is attached. Along with the option to add on a retractable center-mounted step, this new tailgate will be available on Ram 1500 trucks come springtime — or it can be retrofitted to existing 2019 models for an extra fee.